Chapter 7

With User Reviews, I’ll Never Choose Bad Equipment! But... Who Am I Really?
"Tabito, how about that place? Looks popular."

"Whoa, that's huge."

Unlike my original world, this one didn't have chain stores (according to Milfie).

That meant no reliable shops no matter where we traveled. Normally, you'd have to rely on luck—but not me.

The equipment shop Milfie pointed at was massive—a giant sign, a huge entrance, and a steady stream of customers.

Normally, I'd check the reviews first, but curiosity got the better of me, so we stepped inside.

"Damn, this is the real deal. Hardcore."

The shop was spacious, with all kinds of weapons and armor lining the walls.

Enormous axes, greatswords, sleek longswords, bows, daggers, shields, even mage staves.

If this didn’t get your blood pumping, you weren’t alive.

"Looking for anything in particular?"

The clerk wasn’t some roughneck—she was a polished, professional woman. That alone earned ★★★★ in my book.

—
[Ostria Arms & Armor] 1.4★☆☆☆☆ (14,566 reviews)

C-Rank Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Bought a sword here. Snapped in a day. No refunds.

D-Rank Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Weapons aren’t maintained. "New" my ass—used condition.

C-Rank Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Way overpriced. Avoid. Maintenance is a joke.
—

… Yikes.

"This battle-axe just arrived last—"

"Oooh, shiny—Hweh!? Tabito, where are you gooooing!?"

"Sorry, sudden change of plans. Let’s move, Milfie."

Outside, I explained.

"I see. Can’t judge by looks, huh?"

"Shit happens. Let’s try another."

"I just need maintenance, so anywhere’s fine…"

"Better to get it done right. That weapon means something to you, doesn’t it?"

"... How’d you know?"

I’d noticed yesterday—after the fight, she’d meticulously wiped off the blood. Not just that, she’d fretted over every nick, handled it with care.

"Just picked up on it. C’mon, let’s go."

"... Hehe. Tabito’s sweet, meow."

The map could search by category. I pulled up "armor shops."

Dozens of markers lit up.

"Next stop: east district. You good to walk?"

"No problem! I could walk all day, meow!"

Her thighs did look impressively sturdy. Thick and springy!

We hit shop after shop.

—
[Area Arms] 2.4★★☆☆☆ (7,894 reviews)

E-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Cheap, but no armor selection.

C-Rank Adventurer
★☆☆☆☆
Bought a sword. Broke immediately.
—
[Dulstri Armory] 2.7★★★☆☆ (4,788 reviews)

E-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Armor specialist. Slightly pricey.

D-Rank Adventurer
★★★☆☆
Good for selling, but their stock feels lazy.
—

Nothing clicked.

Then again, maybe I’d been too spoiled by past finds. Even back home, truly great shops were rare—reviews or not.

But then—

—
[Miri’s Secret Shop] 4.9★★★★★ (476 reviews)

B-Rank Adventurer
★★★★★
Affordable AND high-quality.

S-Rank Adventurer
★★★★★
Custom enchantments, rare gear. Limited stock, but top-tier.

A-Rank Adventurer
★★★★★
Only place worth buying gear in the capital. Others are trash.

Rildo
★★★★★
An old friend runs this place. Owner’s scary but has a soft side.
—

"Rildo… the inn’s old man!? And S/A-Rank reviews!? Whoa. Location is… there?"

Seeing Rildo’s name shocked me. The marker pointed to that back alley. Memories of getting jumped resurfaced—but with Milfie, no fear.

Come to think of it, Milfie’s name had appeared in the Demon Forest reviews too. Did knowing someone unlock their tags?

"Pardon the intrusion—"

The heavy wooden door creaked open. Inside was… cozy. Maybe a trait of good shops? Like how tiny bakeries often had the best bread.

No massive weapons on display—just a few pieces in glass cases.

No clerk in sight.

But Milfie lunged at the nearest case.

"T-this is amazing, meow!?"

"What? Which one?"

"This whole section—it’s all S-Rank weapons and armor!"

"S-Rank? Wait—S!?"

I pressed my face against the glass. Milfie pointed at a small black dagger.

No frills, no ornamentation.

… This was S-Rank?

"My, my. It’s been a while since I had customers. Who referred you?"

A voice—smooth, playful—drifted from behind.

I spun around.

And froze.

A woman stood there—no, a witch.

Deep cleavage, flowing black hair, robes that screamed "spellcaster," not "blacksmith."

"Uh, w-well—D-do you know Old man Rildo?"

Not exactly a referral, but close enough.

"Hmm~ Rildo’s acquaintance, huh? How’s the old fool doing?"

“He’s doing great. Still yapping loudly like always."

"Hihi, some things never change.—Hm? Have we met before?"

"Eh? Me?"

"When was it… I forgot. Memory’s the first thing to go with age."

Must’ve mistaken me for someone.
Before she could dig further, I cut in—asking to inspect the weapon.

An S-Rank dagger
The witch smiled, plucked it from the case, and handed it to me.

—I remembered the Poison-Smile Mushroom incident.

… Here goes.

—
[Item: Jet-Black Dagger] S-Rank Weapon: ★★★★★
Effect: Absorbs wielder’s mana to alter its form.
—

—There it was.

"—The Jet-Black Dagger, right?"

"Wow… how’d you know its name?"

"Uhh, umm. Magic of kind?"

Magic was common here.
The Guide Map, though? Not so much.
No need to explain further.

But the witch’s eyes lit up.

"So few recognize it by name~ Hihi, I like you. Your names?"

"I’m Tabito."

"My name is Milfie!"

"Tabito and Milfie~ I’m Miri the Witch. Pleasure."

Called it! She is a witch!

But she didn’t match Rildo’s "scary" description.
Well, her aura is terrific.

“I'd love to give it as a gift, but this is a bit much. Though I could give you a discount if you're buying?"

"... How much?"

"A hundred gold coins will do."

I had no idea if that was cheap or expensive, but according to Milfie, it was absurdly underpriced. Unfortunately, we couldn’t afford it, so I politely declined.

I tried giving her my best puppy-dog eyes, but freebies were off the table.

No such luck.

Before asking about weapon maintenance, I had one more request.

"Do you do buybacks?"

"Of course~"

I pulled out the bloodstained dagger from my Travel Bag. Should’ve cleaned it better.

"Ah, sorry about the—"

"Happens all the time. Oh dear… this has a magic engraving."

"... Engraving?"

"A contract to bind it to its owner, enhancing its magic. Expensive and rare—most don’t bother."

I glanced at Milfie, but she shook her head vigorously. No clue.

Then came the shock—the engraver was me.

Meaning, post-engraving, only I could wield it.

"... What does that mean?"

"? Didn’t you do it?"

"...? No, I found this."

"Found it? Well, the engraving’s definitely yours. I never misread these things.—Watch."

Miri raised the dagger—then froze mid-swing, as if hitting an invisible barrier. A sound like shattering glass echoed.

Safety-locked.

"See?"

Milfie tried next—same result.

… Impossible.

I found this dagger. It was just lying there. And I never engraved anything.

Then Miri gasped.

"... You were here. About half a year ago. Didn’t buy anything, but I remember."

"Half a year ago? Can you tell me more?"

The story that followed was mind-blowing.

According to Miri, I’d visited this shop six months ago. Said I was "looking for someone" and left quickly.

So… not reincarnation? Possession? That’d explain things.

… Then who am I?

"Also, this weapon’s quite special. Never seen one like this before, but it’s easily S-Rank."

"Seriously…?"

I had noticed its unnatural sharpness.
Too many mysteries.

The more I thought, the weirder it got.

My first battle—I’d seen the monster’s movements clearly, moved like a veteran.
As if fighting was second nature.

"I’ll clean it up for you~"

Miri placed her hands on the dagger. Light spread, dissolving the bloodstains.

"Whoa! Miri, you’re amazing, meow! Purification magic!?"

"Hihi~ Something like that."

The returned dagger gleamed like new.

"Uh, payment—"

"None needed. Browse all you like—though most items are pricey. Oh, and hers too?"

"Thank you, meow!"

We got free maintenance and a full equipment showcase. Miri even taught us appraisal tricks—though with my Guide Map, mistakes were unlikely.

But not all weapons triggered info. Maybe a level-lock?

"Come back anytime~ Maintenance is always free. And I’ll let you know if I hear about catfolk."

"Thank you."

Our first weapon shop visit—couldn’t have gone better. She’d even help with Milfie’s search.
Outside, Milfie admired her polished weapon.
But more importantly—

"Milfie. I figured something out."

"Hweh? What’s wrong?"

"I think… the real me died. No—was murdered."

"Wh-What do you mean, meow!?"

I recalled the dagger’s description when I first found it:

—[Bloodstained Dagger] —Belonged to a murdered adventurer.
—Unknown value.

The blood on my head? Probably from the killing blow.

No clue if I bled out.
But my soul possessed this body.
As for the reason the wound healed? No idea.

Half a year ago, I visited Miri’s shop.
The engraving. My unnatural reflexes.

The biggest question? Who was I looking for?
Had I been in the capital this whole time?

But no one recognized me.

And why was I in that forest?

… Too many unknowns.

For now, I needed to find someone who knew "the real me."
I explained everything to Milfie.

"Then let’s check the Adventurers’ Guild! If you were registered, we might find your real name. I… still can’t fully believe it, though. Sorry."

"Don’t worry. But you’re right—if I was searching, I was traveling. And travelers need funds… so becoming an adventurer makes sense."

I might uncover my past sooner than expected.
The guild… Exciting, yet terrifying.

Just who was I?

---
[Milfie] ★★★★★
Miri was so kind!
She looked crazy strong—I wanna spar, meow!

[Tabito] ★★★★★
Free service from Witch Miri~
Big assets. Very educational.
She also taught me about (my) body. 5 stars.

[Miri] ★★★★★
Had fun talking to two nice kids after so long~
The girl looked strong too, but the boy? Even stronger.
I kinda wanna bully him.